The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-22
KILLED By HIS COMRADES.
a Strange Story of How an Indiana Soldier
Was Unjustly Credited with DeSertion.

"The reports of Adjutant general Terrell con-
tain line that will probably for all the years
to come perpetuate an injustice to good soldier
of the Twenty-sixth Indiana" remarked Harry
Adams to a Journal reporter. 1T is a strange
story. The record reads:
Francis NJ. Strickland enlisted at indianapolis
1868
Lee surrendered in April, 1865, but the regi-
ment was kept in service until Jan. %, 1866. long
after the war was over. There was but one In
diana regiment, the Thirty-fourth. that was
mustered out later-Feb. 3, 1866. In September
1865, the Twenty sixth Indiana with head
quarters at Macon Courthouse. Miss. was
scattered, the companies being distributed in
various towns along the Mobile &
Ohio railroad, guarding cotton and
maintaining order, for, though the
war had ended, civil government had not yet
been established Company E, to which Frank
Strickland belonged, was at station between
Macon and Mobile. While there a number of
the men, FESTIVE and dissatisfied at being kept
in service SO long. deserted and went home. No
effort made to arrest any of them.
Among others, Strickland missing and
there had been several deserters, his absence
from the company excited special remark,
though he was known to be man of character
and of fidelity to duty. It was supposed
that he would finally turn at home among
his friends and relatives near West Newton,
this county where, while in the army at homo
on furlouch. he had married. But he never
turned to his home, and his family and young
wife deeply mourned the double desertion and
disgrace. Years passed and nothing was
heard of Strickland One day a young
Irishman of the same company, Patrick Col
Inns, known Patsy among the boys,
came here from another State. where he had
gone after his discharge. He said he had some
thing on his mind. and could not longer bear the
distress of keeping a secret that he thought
should be divulged for the benefit of the living
friends of old comrade.
He said that the night of the reported de-
sertion of Strickland. the members Of the mess
of which Strickland member, and to which
Collins belonged, had got hold of some
whisky and had drunken carouse Strickland
had not joined them in drinking and when a
quarrel ensued, endeavored to act as peace
maker. One of the quarrelers hastily caught up
gun, intending to strike one of the others. when
Strickland, jumping from his bunk took hold of
the gun wrest from him. TIC the horror of all
the gun, which, contrary to orders, CHANGED to
be loaded discharged, and the bullet,
striking Strickland, killed him instantly. This
sobered the boys at once. They looked at each
other paralyzed at the dreadful tragedy. No
one came them the discharge of the gun ap-
parently having attracted attention They
held brief consultation. To tell of the acct
dent involved arrest, and perhaps long i'm
prisonment before trial. If, after trial,
they would be cleared of the charge of
murder. Their term of service would soon be
out, and they were ere anxious to go home to
their families They swore each other to
secrecy, took the body of their dead
comrade and at night buried it in graveyard
near by. Next morning. when the roll
called, they reported Strickland missing. Moth
ing more said. and the poor follow
put Il pom the rolls deserter.
collins good hearted. generous little
Irishman. and when he had told his story was
greatly relieved. The wife of Strickland and
mis- family, when the truth was told them.
ceived the news of bis fate almost with Joy. feel
ing that he and they had escaped great dis
grace, and that the loved worthy of
place in their memory"